North Fork towns asked to back creative district
One of the outgrowths of the two years of foundational meetings for the North Fork Vision 2020 project is the forming of a Creative Coalition. Representing the artistic community in the valley, they are coming together and wanting to establish a Creative District.
The Colorado legislature last year passed HB11-1031. According to a Creative Coalition press release, this bill promotes the formation of creative districts in communities, neighborhoods, or contiguous geographic areas.
Two Creative Districts will be certified by the State of Colorado in 2012. Each will receive a $15,000 grant and a technical assistance package to enhance their districts.
Five applicants will be identified as "prospective" districts and each will receive $8,000 and a customized package of technical assistance to enhance the likelihood that they will be certified in the future.
Eight applicants will be identified as "emerging" and each will receive $2,000 and technical assistance to further their district planning. The designation would provide state wide recognition, help leverage other funding, help the North Fork Valley to target creative activity as an economic development strategy, which will help local creative industries to be sustainable.
Those in support of having a Creative District for the North Fork Valley have already visited two town councils in Crawford and Hotchkiss and will bring their request to the Paonia Town Council on Feb. 28.
The councils are being asked to sign a resolution supporting the designation of the North Fork Valley Creative District.
The resolution states "the Creative Coalition has been formed to assist the community to develop a public-private partnership to support the formation of a North Fork Valley Creative District." It notes the incredible diversity of "musicians, artists, artisans, actors, dancers, videographers, graphic designers, landscape designers, culinary artists, architects, leather workers, quilters, fashion designers, jewelers, weavers, furniture makers, blacksmiths, writers and other creatives."
The events and festivals produced are "an integral part of the fabric of our community and an important part of our economic base."
Colorado Creative Industries, a state-wide arts division, will be petitioned to give the necessary designation for the North Fork Valley Creative District.
The Creative Coalition is asking the towns to endorse the following: the submission of the petition to create the district and agree to promote its development, the goal of economic development of the Creative District and the goal of tourism development in the Creative District. They also asked in the resolution for each town to have a representative to work with the governing board of the Creative District and to promote the development and maintenance of the Creative District by the governing board. Finally the Creative Coalition asked that all residents and business owners within the towns "support, promote and help maintain activities and events in the Creative District."
Jeannie Applequist, Jared Davis and Karen Good visited the Crawford Town Council on Feb. 1. Trustee Susie Steckel, who is running for Crawford mayor, exhorted the three to "Go do it!" She told them there was no need to come to the Town of Crawford.
Karen Good of Elsewhere Studios explained they were asking for the town's blessing and brought a sample resolution.
The Crawford Town Council, which has five seats available in the upcoming April election, told the Creative Coalition to come back to a work session on April 18 and present their ideas to the new council.
At the Feb. 9 Hotchkiss Town Council meeting, Joanne Tullis presented the resolution for support of a North Fork Valley Creative District. Elaine Brett and Pete Halladay were also on hand to show support for the district. Brett noted, "People outside of this community recognize the talent here." Tullis shared that the designation would help bring grants and boost arts in the North Fork Valley.
The Hotchkiss Town Council in a split vote approved signing the resolution.
Dustyn Foster, Carrie Wingfield, and Marlin McCracken voted in favor of the resolution. Jane Wills and Lindee Cantrell were opposed.
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